Pets are not garbage disposals
for the leftovers. Feed your pet before the festivities begin.
Poultry bones can splinter and cause blockage. Chocolate is
poisonous. Sudden changes in diet even for one meal can give your
pet stomach pain and diarrhea, particularly for older animals.

·

Crowds of people can frighten
your pets. If you plan to entertain, you should plan ahead on your
pets behalf. Make sure they have a "safe haven" were they can
retreat.

·

A Christmas tree should stand in
a flat wide base. Cats often see trees as great climbing posts.
If your feline shows an interest in this activity, decorate the tree
with animal safe items such as pine cones and wood ornaments.
Tinsel and popcorn strands can be harmful to pets and glass balls can
shatter in your pets mouth.

·

If you are using extension cords
for your lights, ensure that your pet does not chew these cords.
Use plastic tubing around the cords to prevent shock.

Take the proper precautions and your pet will enjoy the
holidays as much as you do!

Make
sure the hutch is in a sheltered position (eg against a fence or wall) and
protected as much as possible from the wind

Use
PLENTY of hay to keep them cosy and warm

Pin bubble wrap or a thin sheet of plastic across the wire
bit of the cage (leaving a space for the
water bottle). It's a cheap way to offer extra insulation and give them
their own double glazing

Cover
hutches up at nightime with blankets/ even old carpet

Check
water bottles haven't frozen up

Pets in
general:

Keep pets inside as much as
you can when the mercury drops. If you must leave your pet outside, provide
appropriate shelter against the wind, thick bedding and nonfreezing water.
Depending on their size, age, health and thickness of their fur, some
animals are more vulnerable to cold than others.
No pets should stay outside for unlimited amounts of time in extremely cold
weather.

• Pets that go outside can accumulate rock salt, ice and chemical ice melts
in their foot pads. To keep pads from
getting chapped and raw, wipe their feet with a washcloth when pets come
inside.

• Cats will curl up against almost anything to stay warm-including car
engines. Before you start your engine, check
beneath the hood or make a lot of noise by honking the horn or rapping on
the hood.

• If you light a fire or plug in a space heater, keep it safely out of range
of tails and paws. Pets can burn themselves or
knock a heat source over, endangering the entire household.

• Be particularly gentle with elderly and arthritic pets during the winter.
The cold can leave their joints extremely stiff and tender and they may
become more awkward than usual. Consider modifying their environment to make
it easier for them to get around.

Frostbite and hypothermia are dangerous possibilities in the winter.
Frostbite happens when the ears, paws or tail get cold enough that ice
crystals form in the tissue and cause damage. If you suspect frostbite,
bring your pet into a warm environment immediately, soak the extremities in
warm water for about 20 minutes, and visit the veterinarian.

Hypothermia, or body temperature that is below normal, occurs when animals
are overexposed to cold temperatures.
Symptoms can range from shivering and lethargy in mild cases to stiff
muscles, low heart and breathing rates, and
unresponsiveness. If you notice these symptoms, warm your pet and seek care
immediately.
When you're outside with your pets during the winter, watch them for signs
of discomfort. If they whine, shiver, seem
anxious, slow down or stop moving, or start to look for warm places to
burrow, they need to be taken inside.